HOUSTON (Interstat) — Cade Pregeant homered twice and drove in five runs, but the Lamar Cardinals could not overcome a five-run sixth inning from the Houston Christian Huskies, who won the opener of a Southland Conference doubleheader 9-5 on Saturday at M.O. Campbell Center.

Lamar fell to 28-24 overall, while Houston Christian improved to 22-27.

The game began with a lightning delay in the middle of the first inning, forcing a brief stoppage before play resumed. The Cardinals struck first in the top of the third. After a walk and a passed ball, Pregeant launched a two-run homer to deep left field for his first home run of the season, giving Lamar a 2-0 lead.

Houston Christian answered in the bottom of the third. With two outs, a walk and a wild pitch put a runner on third. Another walk loaded the bases. Jackson Walker then cleared them with a grand slam to deep right field, scoring three runners and putting the Huskies ahead 4-2.

Both teams went scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings. Lamar managed seven hits in the game but stranded runners in scoring position. The Cardinals had a threat in the top of the fourth after two walks, but Houston Christian pitcher Louis Castano entered and struck out two batters to escape the jam.

The decisive moment came in the bottom of the sixth. The Huskies loaded the bases with no outs on a walk and two hit batters. Another hit by pitch brought in a run, tying the game at 4. Luke Bard followed with a grand slam to deep left field, his second home run of the season. The blast scored three more runners and gave Houston Christian a 9-2 lead.

Lamar attempted a comeback in the top of the seventh. With two singles, Pregeant connected again, this time a three-run homer to deep left field that trimmed the deficit to 9-5. But the Cardinals could not get any closer.

Houston Christian used four pitchers in the game. Castano earned the win after working five innings, allowing four hits and three earned runs while striking out nine. Ben Norton tossed a scoreless ninth inning for the save. David Lopez worked three innings of relief, giving up three hits and two earned runs with four strikeouts. For Lamar, Hayden Stallings took the loss, allowing one earned run in 1 1/3 innings.

Lamar’s Ty Dagley threw two hitless innings, and Jarret Williams pitched a scoreless inning. Gage Burdick gave up two earned runs in two-thirds of an inning.

Pregeant was the top offensive performer for Lamar, going 2 for 4 with two home runs and five RBIs. For Houston Christian, Bard finished 1 for 4 with a grand slam and four RBIs. Walker also went 1 for 4 with a grand slam and four RBIs. The Huskies managed only four hits in the game but took advantage of six walks and four hit batters. They also grounded into two double plays.

The game was the first of a doubleheader between the Southland foes. Lamar had beaten Houston Christian 10-3 on Thursday in the teams’ previous meeting.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected Lamar with a 67.80 percent probability to win the game.